After years of public service, injury, and loss, I’m trapped in an impossible cycle where working through pain is the only way to survive.

Hi, my name is Kita, and asking for help like this is incredibly hard, but I don’t have another option.

For 18 years, I worked for Metro driving buses. I was proud of my job and of serving my community. In October 2020, severe back problems forced me to leave early. Doctors told me I could no longer drive buses, and I went on workers’ compensation until May 2022.

I tried to avoid surgery, but in August 2022 I had back surgery hoping it would help. Instead, my mobility declined and the pain worsened. Today, I walk with a limp, rely on a cane, and live with constant pain.

When I returned to the doctor, I received devastating news: both of my hips are bone on bone. I need both hips replaced.

I lived off my settlement for about three and a half years with no other income. During that time, my son helped me with rent and bills. Then my life changed forever. My son passed away suddenly at just 30 years old from an undetected heart condition. Losing him broke my heart and left me grieving while trying to survive on my own.

With no income and no safety net, I began driving for Lyft — the only work I can physically do. Sitting for long periods causes severe pain, and some days I can’t stay on the road long enough to earn what I need. Lyft provides no benefits, and I don’t qualify for disability or temporary disability. I have already had to cancel my first hip replacement surgery twice because I cannot afford to stop working long enough to recover.

My monthly expenses are about $5,000, and without surgery my condition will continue to worsen.

I am asking for $10,000 to help cover basic living expenses during surgery and recovery so I can finally get the hip replacement I urgently need and focus on healing instead of survival.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can’t, sharing this fundraiser means more than you know. Your support gives me hope that I can walk without pain again and begin rebuilding my life.

This fundraiser is being shared on my behalf by someone I met while driving Lyft.

After years of public service, injury, and loss, I’m trapped in an impossible cycle where working through pain is the only way to survive.

Hi, my name is Kita, and asking for help like this is incredibly hard, but I don’t have another option.

For 18 years, I worked for Metro driving buses. I was proud of my job and of serving my community. In October 2020, severe back problems forced me to leave early. Doctors told me I could no longer drive buses, and I went on workers’ compensation until May 2022.

I tried to avoid surgery, but in August 2022 I had back surgery hoping it would help. Instead, my mobility declined and the pain worsened. Today, I walk with a limp, rely on a cane, and live with constant pain.

When I returned to the doctor, I received devastating news: both of my hips are bone on bone. I need both hips replaced.

I lived off my settlement for about three and a half years with no other income. During that time, my son helped me with rent and bills. Then my life changed forever. My son passed away suddenly at just 30 years old from an undetected heart condition. Losing him broke my heart and left me grieving while trying to survive on my own.

With no income and no safety net, I began driving for Lyft — the only work I can physically do. Sitting for long periods causes severe pain, and some days I can’t stay on the road long enough to earn what I need. Lyft provides no benefits, and I don’t qualify for disability or temporary disability. I have already had to cancel my first hip replacement surgery twice because I cannot afford to stop working long enough to recover.

My monthly expenses are about $5,000, and without surgery my condition will continue to worsen.

I am asking for $10,000 to help cover basic living expenses during surgery and recovery so I can finally get the hip replacement I urgently need and focus on healing instead of survival.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can’t, sharing this fundraiser means more than you know. Your support gives me hope that I can walk without pain again and begin rebuilding my life.

This fundraiser is being shared on my behalf by someone I met while driving Lyft.